Why do wombats eat native grasses?

Wombats are herbivores and feed on Australian grasses and sedges.

Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat (aka Queensland Hairy-nosed Wombat, Yaminon)

Scientific name: Lasiorhinus krefftii

National conservation status: Endangered (likely to become extinct if threats continue)

Size: 35 cm high, 1100 mm long

Weight: up to 35 kg (Females slightly heavier than males)

Diet: Native grasses

Habitat: Semi-arid open woodland

The curious name comes from its distinctive muzzle which is covered with short brown hairs. It is strong and heavily built, with short, powerful legs and strong claws that are used to dig burrows or search for suitable plants to eat. Its fur is soft, silky, and mainly brown, mottled with grey, fawn and black. It has a broad head, and the ears are long and slightly pointed with tufts of white hair on the edges.

The Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat gives birth to one young during the wet season (November - April). The young stay in the mothers pouch for eight to nine months. They leave their mother at about 15 months.

Common Wombat

Scientific name: Vombatus ursinis

National conservation status: Secure

Size: 900-1150 mm long

Weight: 22-39 kg

Diet: Native grasses, sedges, rushes, shrub and tree roots

Habitat: Eucalypt forest, open woodland, coastal scrub and heath

The Common Wombat occurs in southeastern Australia. It has coarser hair, a smaller tail and shorter, more rounded ears than the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat. It is nocturnal during the summer, but in winter it often comes out of its burrow during the day. Common Wombats breed at any time of the year. They live to 15 years in the wild, and up to 20 years in captivity.

Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat

Scientific name: Lasiorhinus latifrons

National conservation status: Secure in restricted area

Size: 770-934 mm long

Weight: 19-32 kg

Diet: Prefer young shoots of native grasses

Habitat: Eucalypt and acacia woodland, shrubland and heath

The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat species occurs in parts of southern South Australia, southeastern Western Australia and western Victoria. It is the smallest of the three wombats in Australia has red-brown fur and a shorter face. The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat breeds from late September through to December.